NEW ROCHELLE, NY -- Luiz Aragon, the City of New Rochelle’s Commissioner of Development, was recognized with the “Master Planner” award from the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce at its annual Dinner Dance on Thursday, March 23rd.

This year’s event celebrated those who are “Sculpting a new skyline for New Rochelle,” and highlighted a number of companies for their contributions, including RDRXR, the City’s Master Developer.

“Commissioner Aragon has brought his depth of talent and experience to our community, and New Rochelle is better for it,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Marrone. “The emerging cityscape and pace of development are a direct result of his vision.”

“We congratulate Commissioner Aragon on this well-deserved honor,” said City Manager Charles B. Strome, III. “He and his department leverage all of New Rochelle’s assets- cultural, economic, and physical- to spur us on as a growth-promoting community, attracting residents, businesses and investors.”

New Rochelle’s unprecedented redevelopment initiative, which was launched in 2015 with the signing of a Master Development agreement with RDRXR – a joint venture of RXR Realty and Renaissance Downtowns LLC, allows for more than 12 million square feet of new construction including up to 2.4 million square feet of prime office space, one million square feet of retail, 6,370 housing units and 1,200 hotel rooms.

The redevelopment plan was launched in November 2016 with the groundbreaking of 587 Main Street, a 28-story, mixed-use building comprised of 280 rental units, 28 of which will be affordable; 10,000 square feet of arts and cultural space; 17,000 square feet of commercial space; and 234 on-site parking spaces. Additionally, the City recently issued a competitive request for proposal (RFP) to develop a City-owned parcel located at 45 Harrison Street, the current site of New Rochelle Fire Department Station #1. The site consists of approximately 30,492 square feet and current zoning allows for a building up to 28 stories in height.

New Rochelle also is leading the way in technology. By the end of the year, the City will be providing ultra-high-speed internet through the installation of Palo Wi-Fi Kiosks - creating the opportunity for New Rochelle to become a hub for Information Services and Technology and for the Health Tech industry. Moreover, New Rochelle has outlined its plan to create a downtown arts & cultural district, designed to be a regional mecca for artists and innovators.